Prince William honoured his beloved grandmother in a moving tribute telling how the Queen steered him through his saddest days.
The Prince of Wales, 40, told of his gratitude for the vital guidance the late monarch gave to him, to wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, and to their three children, which will show them the way as their royal roles develop.
The Queen stayed with William and brother Prince Harry at Balmoral in the days after their mother Princess Diana died in 1997, when William was just 15.
And William’s statement, released today, underlined the importance of her decision to put her young grandsons first as they processed their grief.
He said: “On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute.
“So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign. I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful.
“I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had 20 years of her guidance and support.
“My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives.”
He continued: “She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real.”
William, who earlier appeared racked with grief as he stood by his father King Charles at the historic Accession Council meeting, vowed to honour her memory by supporting the new monarch.
Royal sources last night told how William was “a rock” for his family after the Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle on Thursday.
As William scrambled to Scotland on hearing that the Queen was gravely ill, wife Kate stayed behind at their Windsor home to care for children Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven and four-year-old Prince Louis as they had their first day at their new school.
A source said: “The Princess knew she would need to be present for their children as well as instinctively realising that the gravity of the situation with the Queen’s health would become a private family moment.”
It was up to Kate, 40, to tell her children they had lost their great-grandmother, and yesterday on a walkabout meeting members of the public outside Windsor Castle she revealed little Louis’ heartbreaking reaction to the news.
Banita Ranow, 28, who was among the crowd on the Long Walk, said she heard Kate tell children nearby: “Louis said at least Grannie is with great-grandpa now.”
Ms Ranow said Kate was “welling up” as she spoke to the children.
A senior royal aide said William and Kate’s new roles will not change their approach, saying: “The couple are focussed on deepening the trust and respect of the people of Wales over time.
“The Prince and Princess of Wales will approach their roles in the modest and humble way they’ve approached their work previously.
“The new Princess of Wales appreciates the history associated with this role but will understandably want to look to the future as she creates her own path.”
You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here
This weekend, the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror celebrate the life of Her Majesty the Queen with a commemorative special filled with all the key moments from Britain’s longest reigning monarch. Be sure to pick up your copy of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror to get both pullouts.
